Monthly Expenses While Driving.... Like Food

Yea, $100 will feed you good if you have a fridge and one or two methods of cooking in the truck. I don't eat much or even regularly when it's hot out so at times that $100 worth of grub for a week some times last almost 2 weeks but the calories burned while flatbedding does have your body telling you other wise. I make it a rule to treat myself out to a sit down dinner once a month (normally on a 34 so I can lay up and be lazy afterward lol) and two fast food lunches a month which I try to save for those times when I'm in a hurry and getting fuel. That way I'm not running myself short later if I know I am going somewhere where a walmart is not accessible and know there is nothing around the customer. Anything that I make with one pound of hamburger normally lasts me 3 days with a vegetable. Taco's or something of the like will also last that long. Chicken I try not to cook more than enough for two days since poultry is funny and I don't do it often because of the PITA it is to wash hands after handling which I keep a small tub, gallon of water and a small bottle of antibacterial dawn dish soap so I can wash up best I can to make it inside to wash with hotwater. Remember, your cooking on the truck and not for a household so things will be far cheaper.

 

there been times i'd just bought peanut butter & jelly and lived on that for a week...or lived on the 2 dogs for 2 bucks...i see its 3 bucks now...you can get away cheap for a little while. but you'll start to crave a good steak in a week or two...

 

I tried the 2 for 2 hotdog thing a couple times and ended up with food poisoning both times. I'm good lol. Walmart, hit up the deli for some fresh sliced smoked turkey, sharp cheddar and get some sourdough or wheat bread and that's some good eattin' if your in a hurry and need something fast. If you eat fast food you may want to reconsider after watching this. I don't eat fast food anymore with the exception of subway. http://youtu.be/T67DvoH2H3E

 

Hairytruckerswife - are you a hairy woman who is the wife of a trucker? or are you the wife of a hair trucker? just kidding, and good topic.

from what others have said, to me it seems like a no brainer. 45/day for crap food that will make you sick and kill you early...vs. 100/week for homemade food that is good for you.

have you checked out the stick thread "cooking in the truck" - lots of good info there.

 

When I ran OTR I could blow through 200 bucks a week pretty easy. But I sit down and eat whenever possible.

 

I spend between $125-150/week. The refrigerator/cooler is the key. I don't cook in the truck, but I keep fresh fruit and vegetables, sliced turkey or ham, cheese, yogurt, pudding, drinks. I usually eat oatmeal and fruit for breakfast and a light lunch of some type. Then, I try to find a place to sit down and have a decent dinner 4 or 5 nights a week. Oh, and I never run out of peanut butter and jelly.

 

I'm getting hungry while reading this. I'm going to go blow a couple hundred dollars for one meal.

 

His costs for meals on the road can vary depending on his trainer. My bf had 2 different trainers. 1 had a fridge in his truck and allowed my bf space in it so food costs were less. 2nd didn't have a fridge and bought all his food at truck stops. My bf spent about $150 a wk on food while with 2nd one but also kept things like peanut butter, Vienna sausages, and microwaveable meals in his bags for times he was short or just didn't want to buy anything. Your husbands food costs should go down once he's in his own truck depending on what supplies you get for his truck (and what the company will allow). My bf has a dorm fridge, microwave, and coffee pot in his truck and an inverter. We bought his fridge and microwave at thrift stores to keep costs down.

Good luck to you.

 

When I was OTR full time I spent $60 a week on food. Showers were free. Get a rewards card for the truck stops. 50 gallons of fuel= free shower.